His new domestic rates valuation had just landed on his doormat and he was a worried man.

Having only recently reached pension age after a lifetime of hard work, he's now facing a major hike in his bill - one he can't afford.

He's not alone. Many of my SDLP colleagues have been telling me of their constituents' anger - and concern - that they too are facing unaffordable increases.

The fact is many people across the North are going to be hit and hit hard not just by higher rates bills, but by new water charges, rising electricity prices and other living costs as well.

Direct Rule ministers are claiming they are merely carrying forward what the Executive started and the Assembly would have wanted. They are wrong.

The current Direct Rule proposals would never have found agreement in the Executive or the Assembly.

As Finance Minister, I allocated money for free nursing care so that elderly people would not have to sell their homes.

I am not now likely to accept a rates system that could force many of them into precisely that corner.

As far back as the 2002 consultation on rating reform, the SDLP argued for a fair rates system, based on ability to pay.

That was our position then and it is our position now.

A rates system based on crude capital value that does not take account of ability to pay is bound to throw up inequalities. That is what we are now seeing.

The SDLP has proposed:

ALL pensioners should be entitled to a discount based on income

ALL people with disabilities should be eligible for discount

CARERS, who sacrifice so much to look after elderly relatives or friends, should qualify for relief

SO too should people living alone. That's what happens in England and it should happen here too, and

THERE should be an income-based cap on the amount that any household should have to pay on rates.

Finance Minister David Hanson has said the only way the current direction of travel can be reversed is if the institutions are restored by November 24.

That sort of threat will do nothing to scare into action the parties.

The people should not be punished for the failure of problem parties to shoulder their responsibility for the welfare of our community. Nor should they be expected to carry the heavy burden of a cruel and unjust rates system. All people are looking for is fair play. That is not too much to ask.